They did for Clarice Aquilar of Rancho Cucamonga, who was diagnosed with a germ cell tumor more than a year ago. She endured months of treatment but a complication with chemotherapy set her back a bit, causing the dedicated water polo player to have to bow out of the sport at Azusa Pacific University. Undaunted, she continues to fight and hoped to go to the recent Stagecoach Music Festival extravaganza in Indio. The wish was granted.

“I am doing well. My scans are clear and everything is looking good. I chose Stagecoach because I am a huge country music person and it has always been something I have heard of people going to. Having the wish allowed me to do something I typically would not do as well as seeing artists I have never seen before,” she said. “I think this allows us to be able to relax and not have to worry about things such as doctors appointments and other things going on.”

Unfortunately, there never seems to be an end to these wishes, but the Make-A-Wish Orange County and the Inland Empire and its many volunteers do their best to grant them. The wishes are from children and young people facing life-threatening medical conditions. Last year, a record number of wishes were granted, 347, and of those, 216 are residents of Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

The nonprofit relies on donations and fundraisers, along with the good will and kindness of businesses and individuals. It conducted a Walk For Wishes last month (presented by Subaru). More than 370 walkers came out in force at Fairmount Park in Riverside and raised $40,000.

Stephanie McCormick is the president and CEO of the organization. She said the Walk For Wishes not only brings in much-needed financial help but also connects participants with those young people affected. She called the experience “truly inspiring.”

“Our vision is to grant the wish of every medically-eligible child and we need the help of the local community to make this possible,” said Kara Bautch, senior marketing communications manager. “The community can help in a few ways: monetary donations, volunteering (we really need more volunteers in the Inland Empire area) or even donate their airline miles to help grant travel wishes or donate their car and proceeds will go to us.”

The national Make-A-Wish organization was created in 1980 when a group of people heard about a little boy’s desire to be a police officer. They made it happen. Since then, the work has expanded and through the help of caring donors and volunteers, Make-A-Wish grants a wish every 34 minutes. For more information about the nonprofit and how you can help, go to www.ocie.wish.org.

Walker Music competition

On Saturday, May 27, young musicians from ages 9 to 19 will participate in the annual John Child Walker Competition on the Pomona College campus in Claremont.

Throughout the morning, contestants will compete in the areas of piano, strings, winds and chamber music. The performances will be evaluated by professional adjudicators. Winners will be announced that evening during a 7:30 awards ceremony in Bridges Hall of Music. The evening program is open to the public.

Mary Findlay Walker, a prominent piano teacher in Pomona, first established this competition in 1954 in memory of her husband John. Originally it was a scholarship program for deserving and talented piano students. During the years, though, it has grown to include dozens of grade school and high school musicians from the studios of the area’s finest teachers. The Walker Competition is supported by public donations through the Musicians’ Club of Pomona Valley, the sponsoring organization. For information, go to www.walkermusiccompetition.org.

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Suzanne Sproul is a lucky wife and proud mom of two great daughters. She’s a transplanted Snow Bird from Chicago who prefers warm climates, particularly central Florida and its beautiful Gulf Coast and Southern California, where she’s lived most of her life. The University of Florida J-school graduate has been a city reporter and features editor, but has spent the past 27 fun years covering stories she loves -- features about SoCal’s diverse and trendy homes+gardens and eclectic arts/entertainment along with her weekly column about the good people of the Inland Empire. When she’s not filing stories, you can find her gardening at home, biking with her husband, jumping around in Zumba class, organizing family adventures – digging for hanksite clusters at the Gem-o-Rama in Trona, anyone? – or rooting for favored sports teams. I’m looking at you USC Trojans, University of California Davis Aggies, University of Florida Gators and those loveable Chicago Cubs, World Champions 2016. Life really is good!